Appears we regularly have opportunist thieves around our village, please keep an eye out for any unusual activity, remember that if you spot anything suspicious the police can be contacted by phoning 101. 

SCAM AWARE! Due to the increasing occurrence of scams, we’ve decided to feature a log of examples on the site which will feature examples of things to avoid, and hopefully give a general of the types of scams that are out there. If you experience anything suspicious, please send evidence via email (Contact Us above) and we’ll add them to the list. Thanks for your help and, as always, don’t respond to anything you’re not sure of, and you can always look up the Scam Aware website or Google the company name (other search engines are available). REMEMBER, if it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck, it’s probably a DUCK! Click on the link for examples – text msg – Email Provider – 

Ken Munro is the news editor. Please let him know about village news and events via Contact Us on the main menu or on 07880801674.

The DIARY – Click here

After all the fun of the Festive Season, it’s on with a new year!

Return of the Troubadours! Great Valentine’s performance from The THTs and their excellent support – Jonny Williams, much appreciated by all. Many thanks to them from all of us.

Shotesham Screen…..Excellent reviews from our first movie of the year – Balloon. Next up on 21st February is the 2018 Drama/Comedy Thunder Road – Critics Consensus, Thunder Road deftly balances emotionally affecting drama against bruising comedy – and serves as an outstanding calling card for writer-director-star Jim Cummings. Click here for full review As normal, tickets £5. Contact details: Raz 01508 550122 razwoollacott@gmail.com. 

Walking Group – walking isn’t all hard work, some of the guys about to have a well earned lunch in the Sail Loft after walking Southwold. Next walk will be on Sunday 23rd Feb, meeting at the Trinity at 10.15, details in diary.

Shotesham Garden Group – On Wednesday February 26th 7.30 pm Trinity Hall, Shotesham. Jim Paine from Walnut Tree Garden Nursery will be talking about ‘the secret life of plants’. This looks like a fascinating talk describing some of the latest, remarkable discoveries. Who knew for instance that some plants can tell the time, or some generate enough heat to melt snow! Everyone welcome, price £3. Jim will also be bringing some plants from his nursery to whet our appetite for Spring.

Litter Pick Weekend … Keeping Shotesham Tidy ….Can we request your help with the litter picking on and around the weekend of 7th and 8th of March. All offers would be valued on the basis of many hands etc, if you think you would have some time to join us please contact Heather 550785 or heatherbelljackson@btinternet.com

SVA AGM -The Shotesham Village Association will hold their AGM on the 18th March at the Trinity. Everyone is welcome to join us for the meeting and a glass of wine afterwards for a more informal discussion. We are always on the lookout for new members on the committee, or indeed to lend some occasional assistance, so if anyone would like to be involved please let us know via Contact Us above.

Conservation at St Martins Church. Friends of Shotesham may be aware of an upcoming project to involve the local community, and other interested parties, in learning about Ancient Building conservation and implementing this learning at St Martin’s Church. The project is been managed by the SPAB (Society for Protection of Ancient Buildings) Norfolk, represented locally by Mike Knights. 

 

The first of three events will be on Saturday 14th March at St Martins and will cover understanding heritage, carrying out measured surveys (old and new techniques), and an introduction to historic materials and decay. The other two events will take place through the summer, dates be published in due course. Follow the link for more details. https://www.spab.org.uk/civicrm/mailing/view?reset=1&id=748  

 

A couple of summer dates  for your diary.  A Midsummer Village Party is being planned on the 20th June and the Summer Fete will be on the 4th July, more details to follow in due course.

House in Shotesham for rent. Are you looking to rent a property in Shotesham, or d you know anyone who might be? Property in Hollow Lane is available for at least a 6 month let from 1st March 20, and may be extendable for another year. Click here for details or contact  Kendra at kendrabarley@yahoo.co.uk

Shotesham Parish Council are looking to restore and re-instate the black and white finger post signs, and the South Norfolk Council, though they will supply the materials, no longer have the ability to make them. As a result we may be looking for sponsorship of individual posts from members of the village to supplement any other money we can apply for. Would you like to consider becoming a sponsor? If so please contact Jeff at clerk.shotesham@outlook.com 

Rain or shine, the Shotesham Conservation Group is hard at work, as testified by our damp but smiley team below. From sorting fallen trees, clearing water courses for our wildlife, or just general maintenance, well done guys!  

Take a walk on the wild side…. the Common is always a great place for walking. Recent maintenance of the watercourses is sure to encourage more wildlife, keep your 👀 peeled and hopefully no more flooding for a while!!

And if you’re wandering further afield, you can now admire and have a rest on our new WW1 commemorative bench … .
Sited at the corner of The Street & The Grove, the bench is designed to commemorate and remember all who were involved in WW1, those who died and those who survived, but also all who stayed at home to help with the war effort. It has now been adopted by the Parish Council, but our thanks go to Raz & Laura Woollacott who made it happen and to Gary Benson who assisted with it’s installation. In the sunshine you can almost hear ‘Flowers of the Forest’! 

Community information…

Climate Change Challenge – message from Liz Billet

‘Hello everyone
This year the Hempnall Group of Parishes is hosting a series of 3 evening meetings in March relating to climate change, entitled “Our Climate Challenge”. As you will see, we are fortunate to have notable speakers willing to share their experience and expertise on this significant topical subject.’ Click here for details ‘If you need any further information please contact me as below.’

All good wishes.’ Liz Billett
Team Vicar, Hempnall Group of Parishes
Tel: 07891 854219 E-mail: lizzie.billett@gmail.com

 The Local Government Boundary Commission have extended the period for boundary consultation, click here for details

Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital’s ‘Settle in Services’ are looking for dedicated volunteers who wish to give something back to their local community. Volunteers meet patients on their day of discharge from hospital to help settle them back in to their own environment. Click here for more information 

Thinking Fuel – If you feel you may be paying too much for your oil, Community Action Norfolk (CAN) have a scheme that may assist. Click here to see how you might save and here to see how it works, or go directly to the CAN website for more details.

Our local police officer is PC 1151 Sherry Locke who now holds the position of Poringland Beat Manager, contact details for all our local officers – click here.

Local Police info – October Newsletter

News from Norfolk Police Commissioner –January Newsletter . Also, budget consultation is now concluded, click here for details 

Selected older news items are retained on the “News archive” page)